Seattle Seahawks Pepper Mill

I’m no expert turner by any means, but I’m slowly getting the hang of turning pepper mills. I had these blanks made special order in Seattle Seahawks colors…because I live in the Pacific Northwest…I’m actually a conflicted Cowboy’s fan.

I do this a little different that I’ve seen other people approach turning these mills:

1) I take the 3” x 3” x 11” block and stand it on end in my drill press (after marking centers on both ends. I then drill the larger hole in one end 1/2” deep.

2) I then mount the mill blank on the lathe with a 4 jaw chuck in the recess created by the drill and a live center on the other end. I turn it round and the 8” from the bottom I use a carbide square tool to create a neck that is the same diameter that the center hole will be. I then part the top off at the base of that neck.

3) I use a drill bit extension and the smaller pepper mill bit to drill completely through the center while still mounted on the 4 jaw chuck. I was worried the bit would hit the jaws, but there is plenty of clearance.

4) I use Ron Brown’s Best pepper mill jamb chucks and remount the lower half of the mill using a 4 spur drive center and the live center on the tail shaft. I turn this to the final desired shape.

5) Finally I mount the top in the 4 jaw chuck with the neck inside the jaws. I support it with the live center and part off the amount in excess of 2”. I then drill the hole for the pepper mill shaft and finally turn it to shape.

This is my 6th pepper mill so far using this process and it is working out great for me.

-- Jim Pyle, Woodgravers, belfair, WA, http://www.woodgravers.com